The Clemson football team will need to replace Deshaun Watson for the 2017 season, as he heads to the NFL following a national championship run.
According to head coach Dabo Swinney, the most likely replacement for Watson in the starting quarterback role is Kelly Bryant.
Swinney said the junior signal-caller is “clearly number one” entering spring ball.
“Kelly is clearly number one,” Swinney said, via Tiger Net. “There is no doubt about that. He would go play for us today, and I would be excited to see him. But how’s he going to take that role? How is he going to respond to that? He hasn’t been the guy. We will see how he does.”
Kelly has seen very limited action in the past two seasons, totaling just 75 yards passing, 178 yards rushing and four total touchdowns.
Bryant will be competing for the job with redshirt sophomore Tucker Israel, redshirt freshman Zerrick Cooper, and true freshmen Chase Brice and Hunter Johnson. But judging by Swinney’s comments, the job is Bryant’s to lose.
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